Which Finger Does an Engagement Ring Go On? Ring Finger Traditions Explained
It was traditionally considered bad luck to wear a ring on your wedding ring finger before you were engaged or married. This meant that the third finger on your left hand was left bare until somebody got down on one knee.
Nowadays, not so much. We’ve thrown the ring rulebook out the window and wear jewellery on all of our fingers, wedded or not. Which can make it difficult to remember which ring is actually the ring finger – not just for you, but for your partner who wants to slide the carefully chosen piece of jewellery onto your hand after proposing.
In this article, we’re going to delve into all there is to know about wearing an engagement ring. From the history of why it’s worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, to the countries which traditionally wear an engagement ring on different hands, and what you can do if you’re just not that into wearing a wedding ring.
Plus, we’ll explore where your wedding ring sits too, as surely it gets a bit crowded if your engagement and wedding ring are living on the same finger?
Which Finger Is the Engagement Ring Worn On?
In the UK, it’s traditional for your sparkling engagement ring to go on the finger beside your little finger on your left hand – commonly known as your ‘ring finger’ for this reason.
We’d say it’s the third finger – after your thumb, your index finger and your middle finger, though Ed Sheeran famously refers to it as the fourth finger when singing about marriage in his song ‘Wake Me Up’.
In ancient times, it was believed that what we now call the ‘ring finger’ has a vein that ran directly to the heart – known as the vena amoris (vein of love), hence why the finger was chosen. While we know a lot more about the human body these days, this wedding tradition is one that has withstood the tests of time the longest.
Can You Wear an Engagement Ring on Any Finger?
If you want to, you can wear your engagement ring on any finger you choose. Kylie Jenner has been wearing a gigantic sparkler on her little finger for some months, with fans believing it’s her engagement ring from Timothee Chalamet – she’s just choosing to wear it in a non-traditional way.
Wearing a ring on the ring finger has been a tradition since ancient Greek and Roman times, but traditions aren’t for everyone – if that includes you, then you can wear your ring on any finger you like.
Which Finger Does a Wedding Ring Go On?
Once you’re married, traditionally your wedding ring will sit alongside your engagement ring, on your ring finger – which is why people who have unusually shaped engagement rings – pear shaped, for example – opt for a wedding ring that is shaped around their engagement ring, so they sit flush against one another.
How to Wear Engagement and Wedding Rings Together
The traditional order is to wear your wedding ring closest to your knuckle, followed by your engagement ring on top, closer to your fingertip. Again, this has romantic beginnings, with your wedding ring closer to your heart.
This is less of a formal tradition than wearing your rings on your ring finger, with some people choosing to wear their rings in the order they received them, meaning their engagement ring is closer to their knuckle.
Other options include:
Wear your engagement ring and wedding ring on the same finger – but not the traditional ‘ring finger’
Wear your engagement ring and wedding ring on the same hand, but on different fingers
Wear your engagement ring on the ring finger of your left hand and wedding ring on the ring finger of your right hand (or vice versa)
If you’re (hopefully) married for a long time, you might end up with an eternity ring, or like Victoria Beckham, a new engagement ring for every year or marriage (we can but dream!), which likely means you’ll move your jewellery around. Whatever you feel comfortable with and makes you happy is exactly the combination you should go for.
Don’t feel you have to subscribe to any traditions about where to wear your rings; which finger the ring finger is depends somewhat on where you were born. Let us explain…
Some Countries Wear Wedding Rings on the Right Hand
Countries where people wear wedding and engagement rings on their right hand include the following, reportedly due to the link between the right hand being traditionally used for oaths and vows, meaning it symbolises honour and trust.
- Spain
- Russia
- Switzerland
- Greece
- India
- Norway
- Denmark
- Colombia
- Bulgaria
- Belgium
- Poland
Other lefties include:
- USA
- Austria
- France
- Germany
- Sweden
- Czech Republic
- Romania
- Portugal
- Turkey
- Ireland
Modern Ring Traditions
While it is charming to lean into the romantic traditions of wearing your ring closer to your heart, nowadays people tend to wear their rings in the order that feels best and most comfortable for them. Some people feel their engagement ring is safer worn at the bottom of their finger, locked in by the wedding band.
Where you wear your rings is further complicated if you also have a promise ring or an eternity ring. The trend for stacking means all of them can sit together, creating a fashion-forward vibe. They’re your rings and you should follow your rules when it comes to choosing a wedding finger.
Ruby McGonigle of leading London-based ethical jewellery designer, Lebrusan Studio, encourages her clients to follow their own hearts when choosing which finger to wear their wedding ring on.
“Your sentimental rings don’t need to be worn on your left ring finger. Though many people enjoy wearing their engagement rings and wedding bands together on the same finger in a unique stack, there’s no rule that states this is a must.
Your engagement ring, wedding band and commitment rings are precious pieces of jewellery, and if you don’t fancy forcing them to share space then the freedom is yours to wear them however and whenever you like! For practical reasons, some opt only to wear their engagement ring on special occasions. Others might wish to secure it a special everyday spot over on the right ring finger once the wedding band comes along. Some might not wear their rings on their fingers at all, but instead hang them with pride on a necklace. Just like your unique love story, the choice is all yours.”
Do you have to wear an engagement ring or wedding ring to get married?
No, there’s no law that states you have to wear a ring when you’re married. Prince William doesn’t wear one, for example. A wedding ring is a symbolic gesture that shows your love and commitment to one another. But, if you don’t like to wear rings, you don’t have the budget or you’re not a fan of jewellery in general, it’s absolutely fine if you choose not to wear a wedding or engagement ring at all.
Get a head start on planning your wedding with Bridebook
Still searching for the one? (The ring, not the partner.) Explore top-rated jewellers near you with Bridebook.
Here, we have everything you could need to plan the perfect wedding. Sign up and start planning today!
You Might Also Like…
Related articles
